EN: Last month I told you the story of my childhood dream turning into reality thanks to Vintag, the first mobile app completely dedicated to vintage, to buy and sell online. I finally created the vintage shop that I dreamed of when I was a child playing with my granny’s clothes!

Today I want to let you virtually tour my Vintag shop and to tell you what you can find, the story behind each piece of the shop (well, some of them!) because they all have a story to be told: a trip, a memory, a little piece of a world faraway from here in space and time. Unfortunately I don’t always find the time to tell their story when I sell them, so I decided to do it here. Then take a seat, tea and pastries are offered!

The name of my shop is TheLadybugChronicles, which is also the name of my blog: this name is important to me because it contains a lot of my childhood memories including the idea of chronicling. As you probably understood I love telling stories! In this case I do it through clothes, shoes, bags, hats and other original vintage accessories (rarely through retro style repros and in these cases I always say that the piece is not original vintage) that I bought in Italy or throughout the world in vintage markets, charity shops, vintage and second-hand shops, vintage fairs and even some own original childhood pieces (the Naf Naf jumpers or the Best Company cardigan and sweaters – already sold – that were so incredibly popular in Italy in the 90s or some vintage pieces that I bought at the Montagnola market in Bologna when I was a student at University – double vintage!).

Most of the times the objects that I sell tell a story about traveling: some come from Paris, New York, London, Dublin, Frankfurt, Ljubljana, and many other places in the world where I found a vintage piece that I wanted to bring home with me. Some of them were real pearls found in the middle of junk pieces, like the red Bally shoes (an emotional find in the Salvation Army in New York), or the Escada and Marc Jacobs shoes (found in a second-hand shop in Frankfurt in the middle of old shoes in bad conditions) or the Pucci headband (“abandoned” in a charity shop in New York).

There are many “easy” 80s pieces bought in as many Humana shops in the world (especially dresses and shirts) or in markets and vintage shops all over the world, along with rare designer pieces such as the Yves Saint Laurent transparent sequined eyeglasses (a very rare piece from the 80s bought at the Vintage Fair in Padua) and the cat-eye Dior sunglasses (one of my favorite pieces ever, found in the warehouse of a frames shop going out of business – same story for the iconic and impossible to find Silvano Naldoni pink and blue butterfly sunglasses) or the 80s Dior eyeglasses with the old “CD” logo on the side that I bought at one of the first editions of the Vintage Fair in Forlì.

And so much more: vintage capes and fur coats bought from the old ladies selling pieces for a good cause outside the churches; retro hats for every style and era coming from London charity shops or vintage markets from all over Europe; 80s clutches that I used to collect every time that I was in London (basically once a year) where there are the best vintage bags ever; dresses bought online or “rescued” from people emptying closets and attics; original Texan boots bought in New York and in great conditions.

And then there is me: not only me preparing packages and putting dresses and shoes inside to send them around the world to your houses and wardrobes with the joy of knowing that they will find love and care from you. There is me because all of these pieces were not bought to be sold, I bought them for me, because I loved them at first sight and I wanted them with me. I chose them following my taste and for some reason I don’t use them anymore or there is no more space in my wardrobe to keep them and in some way I have to let them go. Sometimes I feel sad when I sell pieces that have a meaning to me because I want to keep them: I look back nostalgically at pictures where I wore them but knowing that they will be in the hands of another vintage lover makes me feel better; it is like giving something that you care for to someone you trust for him/her to take care of it at your place. This is why I am happy of having my own space in a vintage community such as Vintag, because I know that the person that will buy one of my personal memory will love it and will take care of it as if it was his or hers.

If you like I would be happy if you contact me before buying a piece from my shop, so that I can tell you something about its story for you to keep it alive. I am sure that you, like me, treasure the small objects that we often find in vintage bags (a penny, an hairpin, a small mirror, an old piece of paper) because they are part of the story of the object. Well, in the same way I would love that when you buy from me, I can leave you a memory of that piece when it lived with me.

EN: When I was a kid people used to ask me what I wanted to do when I grew up and my answer was always the same: I want to sell granny’s clothes. At the time people laughed about it because they all knew about my love for my granny’s wardrobe, the real one: my biggest joy was slipping into it, among those beautiful dresses, bags, jewels and shoes. I couldn’t wait to grow up and wear them too! But I didn’t want new clothes, I just wanted hers! With those clothes I used to play “the shop” with my sister: I sold her the beautiful pieces and she was my favorite customer!

When I was a teenager, “selling my granny’s clothes” became “have a second-hand shop”. My vision evolved especially during my very first trips to London and Paris where I realized that the same clothes of my granny’s wardrobe were sold in small shops or on antiques’ markets stalls and they were called second hand in London and friperies in Paris.

When I started university, although I was studying to become a translator, my childhood dream changed name again. Probably I heard that name for the first time at the Montagnola market in Bologna: I wanted to “have a vintage shop” where I could sell all those pieces smelling the past that I used to see in that market’s stalls. In the meanwhile I graduated and I started working but that dream is still there. After all I still dress vintage, I write about vintage and since a few weeks ago I also have a small vintage shop!

Oh yes! That 20-year old dream is slowly turning into reality thanks to a very simple but genius mobile app: Vintag (you can download here). A few months ago I discovered the app on Instagram: I was very curious and I decided to download it. It was such an hectic moment at work so I didn’t have enough time to study it until the Christmas holidays when I realized that in that app there was everything I have been dreaming of: a world full of “granny’s stuff” just a click away! Vintage, antiques, collectibles coming from Italian sellers, a real paradise for vintage lovers. I couldn’t believe it! And it was just the beginning. I mentioned it on my monthly column on Opherty & Ciocci blog as the new era of online vintage shopping: all the Italian vintage in one app! Not only antiques’ shops, vintage clothing and collectors but also many private sellers who want to buy and sell from the sofa, on the subway or during their lunch break…isn’t that great?

I decided to start using it and I found it incredibly quick, practical and user friendly: it takes less than a minute to publish an ad in a very simple and intuitive way.

I also found out that Vintag is a huge community for all the vintage lovers, for the sellers and buyers, for those who are deeply in love with vintage, for the beginners, for the curious, for those who have their granny’s wardrobe still in their heart. Their Facebook page and their Instagram profile are full of interesting contents and they are growing fast. After all Vintag wants to be the biggest Italian vintage community and it will add soon also contents in English.

As if this was not enough I also found out a fantastic service (that I will use soon) of “vintage consulting” that you can activate via email (consulenze@vintag.store) or via the Vintag Facebook community: if you have doubts about the authenticity of an object, about the era or the market value you can contact Vintag to receive an opinion from a team of vintage experts. It often happens to me to find objects that I am not able to date or possible fake for which I always need to wait for an expert opinion (also because I don’t trust self-evaluation with online support that much!).

So in the end TheLadybugChronicles is now a small online vintage shop on Vintag! Some pieces come from my wardrobe (not from my granny’s one though!) and some come from my travel experiences in vintage markets from all over the world. If you want to have a look at my first online vintage shop (I feel excited when I’m writing these words!) you can look for TheLadybugChronicles in the app.

I want to know what you think about my little shop, the Vintag app and the social community…I am very curious to know your opinion!

Two weeks ago I told you about the party for the Gloook opening in Como and guess what? It opened just a few steps from my adored vintage shop Sofia Vintage, so as you can imagine I couldn’t help heading in to see what’s new and say hi to Roberta and her crew!

It is amazing how incredibly at home I feel in this place: it’s an atmosphere that you can breathe, feel and bask in because it looks more like a home than a shop. There are books, sofas, a sewing machine, a wardrobe and all the things that you usually find in a house- plus there is always something to drink or eat like in the home of any perfect host.

But this feeling doesn’t come just from the furniture and location, it originates mostly from the warmth of those who “live” there, beginning with Roberta, the owner and founder of Sofia Vintage, who also serves as “the host” of this beautiful house!

Many new arrivals from Roberta’s trips around the world were there, and I couldn’t help having a look and buying some new vintage stuff… like this lovely ’40s white hat that I can’t wait to wear!

It’s also always nice to hear her stories about her trips to the States (where most of her pieces come) and to get some tips from her on vintage hunting especially in New York!

Of all the events that I am invited to, the opening of a vintage shop always thrills me greatly.

I am a vintage fan, of course, but the charge of all that’s happening around a vintage shop opening: first of all I feel blessed because in my country the culture of vintage is becoming more and more popular, and with this I already seeing and further hope that it will forge forward from what it is now and permeate people’s understanding of what wearing vintage means. Secondly, I know that every time I’m involved in the “discovery” of a magical new world, I’ll be sure to find a little piece of history and love for the past that will always surprise me. And this is what happened when I stepped into Sofia Vintage in Como: I felt as if I had gone into someone’s home from the warmth and the beauty of the place: wonderful location with old flavor, vintage floors, beautiful retro details, amazing clothes and accessories, vintage furniture and a real Singer sewing machine (still in use) for your vintage stitches and repairs. Roberta, the founder, is a real vintage addict and her passion and research can be tasted in the very air of her shop.

I first came to know her from her beautiful shop called Glook in the center of Como. But with her new shop Sofia, she now has the space to present in greater depth her knowledge and passion for vintage. The pieces that she brought into her shop are accurately chosen and well displayed. I fell in love with the style and with her impeccable taste. When we talked about her love for vintage and how she started selecting clothes from all over the world, I felt as if we were Carrie and Samantha sharing stories over a cosmo, the conversation was just that intimate and I was amazed by her love for detail and quality.

The masterpieces in her shop were multiple: from the houndstooth vinyl jacket, to the black and white ankle boots, and her amazing collection of perfectly cared for soft wool and cashmere jumpers (sweaters). Plus there were beautiful wool coats and shirts of amazing quality, sunglasses and a love for simple yet impressive lines.

I also appreciated the honest and spot-on pricing, one of my biggest complaints in the pricey Italian vintage market. Honest pricing is a rare quality and I’ve always appreciated it because it is a clear sign of pure love and knowledge of the sector.

So whether you’re a vintage lover or not, if ever you’re in Como, you must visit Sofia Vintage. I am sure that you will love it and you will also grab a quality bargain.

It was also a pleasure meeting some of my fellow bloggers and to finally bring KNAGUI with me during this vintage excursion! It was a lovely event too, perfectly organized by News Eventi Como PR, with nice people, healthy drinks, popcorn and the elegance of Roberta, the founder of Sofia Vintage! Plus a beautiful goodie-bag with a vintage handbag that I am going to wear on the blog soon!

I wore a retro inspired outfit with a Miss Selfridge silk dungaree, charity shop silk blouse, retro t-bars from New York and a vintage handbag from Foxy Brown. I added Punti di Vista vintage cat-eye frames and Lazzari headband.